Preimplantation and Your Family
You have always wanted a big family. Ever since you can remember, you have thought about adding little munchkins to the mix. You and your children could go to the park when they are small, and as they grow, head to the museums and out for coffee.
The picture has always been clear—huge family dinners during the holidays. Plenty of costumes to gather for Halloween. Memories to create. But the one thing that never came to mind during these daydreams was the possibility of genetic disease inheritance. That never came to your mind until recently.
Embryo screening or Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is one way to screen prenatally. At IVFNJ, we know how delicate these matters are, and it is one of the reasons that we strive to provide our patients with all of the information that they are searching for in regards to parenthood.
Through this blog, you will learn the ins-and-outs of PGD and what it means to you. Is this testing a good option for you? Find out now!
PGD Testing
PGD testing requires in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to obtain oocytes or embryos for evaluation. This testing in an option for couples at risk of transmitting different genetic disorders to their children. PGD testing can screen for the following, but is not limited to:
- Down Syndrome
- Trisomy 21
- Tay Sach’s Disease
- Hemophilia A and B
- Gaucher’s Disease
- Sickle Cell Anemia
This testing is typically performed on couples who are of more advanced ages with regards to pregnancy. At 10 to 16 weeks, testing is performed through amniocentesis or chronic villus testing (CVS). The examination might find that there are genetic defects with the fetus. Then the parents have the options to have a child with a genetic disease or to face pregnancy termination.
PGD testing allows parents to understand some of the risk of full-term pregnancy development before full-term pregnancy is reached. This information can be used for potential parents to understand which genetic conditions could be passed on to the next generation.
At IVFNJ, we want our patients to have access to as much information as possible when it comes to building a family. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis just gives our entire team and our patients the tools to making more informed parenting decisions.
IVFNJ, PGD, and You
If you think that Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis or embryo screening might be something you and your family want to consider, then look no further than IVFNJ. At IVFNJ, we do things a little differently than other clinics. We do everything with your feelings in mind. You usually do not get to hear about feelings in many clinical settings, but we believe that by keeping our patients in mind, we can deliver the very best service and reach the best results.
To learn more about PGD testing, along with our other procedures and treatments at IVFNJ, please call or email our IVFNJ team.
References:
- IVFNJ. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis/Genetic Testing at IVF New Jersey. http://www.ivfnj.com/preimplantation-genetic-diagnosis-pgd/
- Medscape Reference. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview